Lamp shade



w. F. B. JOHNSON- 2, 17,890

LAMP SHADE May 17, 1938.

Filed Dec. 8, 1937- INVENTOR. Mum/w E SJOHNSON BY ATTORNEY.

Patented May 17, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention has to do with lamp shades such as are commonly mounted on electric light bulbs for the purpose of properly diffusing and reflecting light coming from the bulb.

.The invention has in View, as its foremost objective, the provision of a lamp shade that comprises a wire framework on which is mounted a shade piece made from an appropriate material of suflicient rigidity to assume and maintain a desired shape. The shade piece itself is somewhat conical in formation with the conical surface taking a wave-like form providing a series of billows around the lower larger edge. I

The invention has in view, as a more detailed.

objective, the provision of a lamp shade of the character above described and supporting structure which includes a lower ring-like member of scalloped formation with the scallops corresponding to the billows in the shade piece. With this arrangement the shade piece is anchored to the supporting ring at the apices defined by the seallops of the ring, and at the depressions in the conical wall of the shade piece that are afforded by the billows.

Thus the pleasing appearance that is provided by the shade piece is in no way detracted from by the unsightly appearance of the supporting structure, the scalloped formation tending to hide the ring-like structure behind'the billow formations.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention will in part become apparent and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention, therefore, comprises a lamp shade consisting of a wire supporting structure and a shade piece made from an appropriate material having the necessary properties of being formable into a desired shape and of sufficient rigidity to maintain the shape, and which shade piece is of a conical formation with a wave-like conical wall defining billows. The supporting structure includes a lower ring-like member formed with scallops corresponding to the billows in the shade piece. The shade piece is anchored to the ring-like structure at the apices between the scallops which are secured to the depressions between the billows.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevational showing with a part of the shade piece broken away to more Figure 3 is a side elevational showing of the complete lamp shade.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, the supporting structure for the lamp shade is referred to in its entirety by the reference character A. The supporting structure A is preferably fashioned from metallic wire having the ability to be formed into the desired shape, and of sufficient rigidity to maintain this shape. A good heavy wire has been found suitable for the purpose.

This supporting structure A comprises a small upper ring Hi across which extends substantially diametrically a cross piece II that is preferably defined by a double thickness of wire, as shown in Figure 2. Depending downwardly from the cross piece II is a clip structure l2 that is designed to fit over an electric light bulb to secure the lamp shade as an entirety in position thereon. The structure of the clip I2 is well-known in the lamp shade art, and need not be described here in detail. Obviously, this means of supporting the lamp shade in position is intended in no way to be a limitation on the invention. The lamp shade may be positioned in any manner desired so as to effectively shield the light bulb.

Extending downwardly from the ring 10 are a plurality of supporting arms l3 that may be anchored to the ring In in any preferred manner, as by being soldered thereto. The arms I3 are formed with a slight curvature of bowing inwardly, this for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention four of the supporting arms l3 are shown, although this is obviously intended to be no limitation upon the invention, as the number may be varied in accordance with the particular number of billows and scallops that may be included in any specific lamp shade.

A lower supporting ring I4 of a relatively large diameter as compared with the upper ring I!) is formed with a plurality of scallops designated I5. The scallops l5 define apices designated I6, and the supporting arms l3 are connected to the ring I4 at certain of the apices Hi. In the illustrated form of the invention there is a connection between the supporting arm l3 and every other apex I6.

The shade piece itself is referred .to generally by the reference character S, and is preferably made from a material which is susceptible of being formed into the required shape and yet have sufiicient rigidity to maintain this shape. A cellulose acetate has been found as a suitable ma- .terial for this purpose.

As shown in the drawings, the shade piece S is of a conical formation defined by an upper edge I! that takes the form of a hem that encloses the upper ring I0. At the lower and larger edge the edge of the shade piece S is also provided with an ornamental edge shown at l8, and takes a wave-like form defining billows I9 between which are depressions 20.

It is particularly important to note that the lower edge of the shade piece S is connected to the supporting structure A by having the edge l8 and the depressions connected to the apices IS in any preferred manner, such as by appropriate stitching. With this arrangement the scallops 15 might be termed complemental .to the billows I9 as they extend up into the recess defined by the billows.

Thus when the shade piece is positioned on a lamp in the usual manner the wave-like formation of the shade piece S presents a highly pleasing appearance which is in no way marred or detracted from by the supporting structure, as the lower supporting ring I4 is well hidden due to the scallops [5 extending upwardly into these recesses defined by the billows l9.

The curvature of the supporting arms l3 insures that the material in the shade piece S does not come in contact with the light bulb, which, if allowed to take place, might result in scorching or burning of the shade piece.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth it is to be clearly understood that I am not to be limited to the exact construction illustrated and described, because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim: I

1. A lamp shade of the character described comprising a supporting structure that consists of an upper ring, a lower supporting ring formed with a plurality of scallops, said scallops defining apices, a plurality of supporting arms connected to certain apices of the lower supporting ring and to the upper ring, and a shade piece of a generally conical formation having an upper edge secured to said upper ring and a lower edge of wave-like formation defining a plurality of billows with depressions therebetween, said depressions being secured to the apices of the lower supporting ring, said scallops being disposed in the recesses defined by the billows in the shade piece.

2. A lamp shade of the character described comprising a supporting structure that consists of an upper ring, a lower supporting ring formed with a plurality of scallops, said scallops defining apices, a plurality of supporting arms connected to the lower supporting ring and to the upper ring, and a shade piece of a generally conical formation having an upper edge secured to said upper ring and a lower edge of wave-like formation defining a plurality of billows with depressions therebetween, said depressions being secured to the apices of the lower supporting ring, said scallops being disposed in the recesses defined by the billows in the shade piece.

WILLIAM F. B. JOHNSON. 

